Introducing a fuel-efficient travel solution.  Long associated with African safaris and Euro/Australian holidays, the car top camper is beginning to find customers in the US.  A car top camper is a folding, solid-floor tent that mounts to a roof rack of a car, SUV, truck, minivan, trailer  or just about any type of vehicle.  Currently popular with off road enthusiasts who need a low profile, lightweight, off-the-ground sleeping solution, these campers are also in demand from travelers fed up with high priced fuel, hotels and RVs.

Prices for new car top campers range from about $1000 to $2500.  These products are primarily manufactured in China, Africa, Italy, and Australia.   There are two basic product distinctions.  Some models sit entirely on top of a vehicle when opened and often use a crank and pulley system to raise a hard fiberglass or plastic ceiling; an included ladder provides access.  Other tents have a hinged floor, half of which swings over the side, rear, or front of a vehicle when opened, and is held up by a sturdy access ladder.  Almost all of these campers contain a built in covered foam mattress.

DESCRIPTION AND OPENING
Hard ceiling car top campers are generally more expensive than fold-over campers.  The hard ceiling of these tents may either open by turning a crank to lift the ceiling straight up from the base or one end of the hard ceiling may be hinged to the base, while the other end self-lifts (spring loaded or pneumatic) to form a triangular peak-ceiling living space.  The tent material forming the walls attaches from to the perimeter of the ceiling to the base to form an enclosed tent. Windows are covered with mosquito netting and a roll up storm flap. The door is much like any tent with zipper access.  Most hard ceiling tents are aerodynamic and do not require a separate weather resistant travel cover. Typical size is 80in. long x 54in. wide x 42in, to 60in. tall (at the peak.)

Fold over car top campers are lower priced, smaller when folded and often weigh less than their hard-shelled cousins.  Opening a fold over car top camper requires removal of a separate weather resistant travel cover.  The folding ladder is generally attached to the outside edge of the half of the floor that will be folded over the side, rear or front of the vehicle.  The ladder is used as a 'handle' to open the tent which is spring assisted to balance the weight of the fold over floor.  The fold over floor is lowered into position, and the ladder height is adjusted to support the fold over floor.  This operation takes about a minute.  Then, depending on camper model, the screened-window awnings are propped open by spring steel rods - the  entire opening process usually takes less than 5 minutes. Sizes vary with typical being 90in. long x 54in. wide x 48in. tall.

CONSTRUCTION
Hard ceiling car top campers are generally constructed from aluminum reinforced ABS or fiberglass, and canvas or polyurethane coated polyester tent material .  Fold over car top campers are built upon either a marine plywood or foam insulated aluminum floor, and aluminum or tubular steel frame, and also canvas or polyurethane coated polyester tent material.

There is considerable debate about which type of  car top camper is superior.  Advocates of the hard ceiling tents like that these tents are aerodynamic, sit entirely over a vehicle, and set up with the 'simple turn of a crank' or release of a spring loaded top.  Whereas advocates of fold over car top campers like the lower cost, often larger interior volume, additional available roof storage due to smaller storage size and the shaded 'awning' space under the fold over floor - this space is often enclosed by a specially built tent to provide shower, bathroom and/or a changing room.  Additionally there is much debate over the tent material - some preferring traditional cotton canvass based fabric some preferring modern synthetic material - and base construction (wood vs. aluminum)

Any modern car top camper should be weather resistant and durable.  Look for good ventilation to reduce condensation.  As with any tent-based product, a car top camper should only be stored when perfectly dry to prevent mold.  There is added risk to sleeping 4 to 8 feet off the ground - if you don't feel comfortable with heights, this is not the product for you.  However, as a means to quickly set up a comfortable bed above the rocks, mud and campsite 'critters', the convenience of a car top camper is hard to beat!